docs: def simplify(self, options=None):
          """
          provide a simple representation of this change as a dictionary
          """
  
          # TODO: we might want to get rid of this method and just move
          # it into the JSONEncoder in report.py
  
          simple = super(GenericChange, self).simplify(options)
  
          ld = self.pretty_ldata()
          if ld is not None:
              simple["old_data"] = ld
  
          rd = self.pretty_rdata()
          if rd is not None:
              simple["new_data"] = rd
  
          return simple